Fiction Writing: Point of View Basics by Olivia Salter

 Point of view is one of the most essential elements in the craft of fiction. It serves as the lens through which both storytellers and readers perceive the narrative world. By choosing a specific point of view, writers can determine how readers interact with the characters, plot, and themes of their stories. Point of view influences the way readers experience the story, enabling them to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste the events from particular conscious and sensory perspectives.

In contemporary fiction, the evolution of characters' perceptions often plays a central role in the narrative arc. The choice of point of view is crucial in shaping how readers connect with characters and their journeys of growth and change. The narrator's perspective influences the content of the story, guiding readers through the narrative landscape and shaping their understanding of the characters and events unfolding before them.

A key decision that writers must make is determining who will tell the story. The narrator can be a character within the story (first-person point of view), an outside observer with limited knowledge of the characters' thoughts and feelings (third-person limited point of view), or an all-knowing entity with insights into all characters and events (third-person omniscient point of view). Each perspective offers unique advantages and challenges, influencing the reader's immersion in the story and their emotional engagement with the characters. 

A first-person point of view allows readers to experience the story directly through the eyes of a specific character, creating an intimate and immediate connection with their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This perspective can offer a deep insight into the protagonist's inner world, fostering empathy and understanding between readers and characters. However, it may limit readers' access to other characters' perspectives and the broader events of the story. 

A third-person point of view, whether limited or omniscient, offers a more expansive view of the narrative world, allowing readers to follow multiple characters and storylines simultaneously. This perspective can provide a comprehensive understanding of the story's complexities and nuances, offering readers a broader perspective on the characters and events. However, it may create emotional distance between readers and characters, reducing the immediacy and intimacy of the storytelling experience.

The choice of point of view is a powerful tool that writers can use to shape the reader's engagement with the story. By selecting the appropriate perspective, writers can enhance the emotional impact of their narratives, deepen readers' connections to the characters, and guide them through the intricate web of plot twists and revelations. Point of view is a fundamental element that writers must consider carefully, as it plays a vital role in shaping the content, structure, and impact of their fiction.

Narrative Elements Explained for Beginning Writers

 

Narrative Elements Explained for Beginning Writers

 

Writing is hard. In a market where publishers and editors are critical of every story or poem, understanding the seven key elements of a narrative is more important than ever before. Regardless of your chosen genre of expertise, mastering these key narrative elements will help to make you a more successful writer.

These terms include: plot, characters, point of view, setting, theme, conflict, and style. Understanding how these elements work helps us better analyze narratives and to determine meanings.

The PDF might take a minute to load. Or, click to download PDF.

If your Web browser is not configured to display PDF files. No worries, just click here to download the PDF file.

 

 Free Writing Books Index

A Quick Note On Writing Point of View (POV) for the Novice Writer by Ryker J. Phoenix

 

 A Quick Note On Writing Point of View (POV) for the Novice Writer

 

by Ryker J. Phoenix

 

One of the most important elements of fiction is point of view. POV determines how readers experience the story, and it can be used to create different effects. There are three main POVs: first person, second person, and third person.

First person POV is when the narrator is a character in the story and tells the story from their own point of view. This POV is usually limited to what the narrator knows and experiences. First person narration can be intimate and engaging, making readers feel like they are right there with the characters. However, it can also be limiting, since the reader can only see and know what the narrator knows.

Second person POV is when the narrator speaks to the reader directly, as if they are a character in the story. This POV can be used to create a more interactive experience for readers, as if they are directly involved in the story. However, it can also be confusing and difficult to follow, since it is not commonly used.

Third person POV is when the narrator is not a character in the story and tells the story from an outsider’s point of view. This POV can be used to create a more objective and impartial view of the story. However, it can also be less immersive and engaging for readers.

Each POV has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it is important to choose the right POV for your story. First person POV is best for personal stories or stories with a limited point of view. Second person POV can be used to create a more interactive experience, but it can be difficult to follow. Third person POV is best for stories with a more objective point of view.

 

Free Writing Books Index

 

 

 More Quick Notes for the Novice Writer

 

First Person vs. Second Person vs. Third Person by Rebekah Bergman (Video)

 

 Who is telling a story, and from what perspective, are some of the most important choices an author makes. Told from a different point of view, a story can transform completely. Third person, first person, and second person perspectives each have unique possibilities and constraints. So how do you choose a point of view for your story? Rebekah Bergman explores the different ways to focus a story.

Meet The Creators

• Educator Rebekah Bergman
• Director Jérémie Balais, Jeff Le Bars
• Narrator Susan Zimmerman
• Animator Jérémie Balais, Jeff Le Bars
• Music Fred Roux 

 

 

Elements of Fiction: Point of View

 

Elements of Fiction: Point of View

 

Point of view is the perspective (or type of personal or non-personal "lens") through which a story is communicated. Narrative point of view or narrative perspective describes the position of the narrator, that is, the character of the storyteller, in relation to the story being told.

 

Books on Elements of Fiction at Amazon